What makes for a great blurb? Start with a great story.

Ever go back and forth on whether your story is ready for submission or needs to be revised? Or wonder whether your work-in-progress will work? Try writing a blurb. Those 150-word summaries that introduce your characters and your plot are not just great for selling books. They’re terrific tools for analyzing your story.

How? Well, if there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time on TWRP’s blurb committee, it’s this: blurbs shine a megawatt spotlight on plot flaws. Lack of romantic conflict? The blurb falls flat. Lack of motivation? The blurb feels unfocused. Too much plot at the expense of characterization and romance? The blurb is an info dump. In fact, it’s almost impossible to write a great blurb for a story that doesn’t have a good balance between external and romantic conflict, or one that has too much plot and not enough characterization.

So the next time you’re trying to decide if your most recent draft should be your last, or even when you’re outlining a plot before you begin writing, try crafting a blurb to make sure your story works. The easiest way to begin is with the standard blurb formula:

Optional tagline: Phrase that captures essence of the story 

First paragraph: She wants this (Goal) because of this (Motivation) but can’t have it because of that (Conflict).

Second paragraph: He wants this (Goal) because of this (Motivation) but can’t have it because of that (Conflict).

Third paragraph: Give a sense of the hero and heroine's adventure and the outcome of the romance (Hint: it should be happy :)

Need some help getting started? Poke around our website and read some blurbs, or consider this example from our Honky Tonk series, Nothing But Trouble:

Chase Paladin avoids commitment like a patch of stinging nettles. He's seen how love can trample a man, and he doesn't plan to get hitched—ever. But when Honor Jackson walks into his life, hell-bent on keeping her distance, she turns his convictions inside out.

One look at the too-handsome cowboy with laughing green eyes and a killer smile, and Honor knows he's nothing but trouble. She's come to Redemption, Texas to help an old friend, not to let another man charm her into certain heartache.

But every time she turns around, Chase is there, and the closer they get, the more she fears he'll break her heart. So when anonymous threats make it clear that someone in Redemption wants her gone, Honor is ready to oblige. Only now Chase isn’t certain he can live without her.

Will two wary hearts take a chance on love before it's too late?

Nice, right? Notice how it shows the conflict—both romantic and external—and shows what each character has at stake? Here’s another great example from Something to Talk About:

Born-to-be-bland meets born-to-be-wild...

Annabelle Leahey is ready to be bad. Fed up with quilting bees and bridge clubs, Ann has to change or grow old alone. But going from bashful to bold won't be easy—especially since thong underwear is her idea of risqué. So Ann needs a guide, and rancher Mitchell Black is the perfect candidate.

The last thing Mitchell needs is more trouble. He hasn't lived down his bad boy days yet and he has no intention of resurrecting them now. But when Ann asks for his help, he can't refuse. Especially since the preacher's daughter has suddenly become a fireball of temptation.

Mitchell's determined to keep his role in Ann's research hands-off, but Ann has plans of her own. She intends to show Mitchell what he's missing—and that being bad with the right person can be o-o-o-oh so good.

See how the blurb concisely summarizes the characters, shows the reader what is at stake, and sets up the conflict between the hero and heroine? That's a sign of a well-plotted story.

So next time you’re working on a manuscript and wondering if it’s good enough to submit, try writing a blurb for it. If you find that you can’t sum up your characters and their romance in 150 words or less, chances are the story needs some work.

But if you find you can write a dynamite blurb, you’ll not only know that your story has a good plot, but you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes time to write a query letter and submit your manuscript!

You have a release date...now what?

Remember the post from a few weeks ago called After Galley? RJ gave us insight on what happens to your book once both you and your editor have said, "Yes, my baby is ready to go."

Finally you receive the email notification. You have a release date. Now what?

First, read the report carefully. It contains your name as is will appear at etailers and on our website. Be sure it's spelled correctly. Make sure the heat rating is correct. We have a series of checks and balances so hopefully by this point there are no mistakes, but this is that last chance to be sure. Check your title, your genre, etc. Every line of text on that email is important to someone who will be putting your book to market. And finally, open the PDF that comes attached in this email. This is your final file and the PDF that will eventually be available for purchase. Just give it a quick glance. Is your book cover correct in the file, the copyright date?

It's rare that you'll ever find an issue, but it makes a fix far easier if it's found before your book is uploaded to etailers on the web.

So you've checked your PDF and your book metadata is all correct. Now it's time to plan. You'll have anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to plot out your marketing strategy. But I'm sure you have some questions like, when will my book be on the coming soon page?

Our coming soon page shows books that will be releasing within the next 4 to 6 weeks. Your coming soon page will become your buy page. The URL won't change. Once you have your coming soon page, you'll see a Twitter and Facebook share button at the bottom of the page. You can share your book with your Twitter and Facebook friends. Also, you can use this function to share your fellow TWRP author's books. Promote each other. A network of authors is going to reach more readers.

You may be wondering if you should have reviews before the book releases. Actually no, we make your book available to reviewers prior to release, but only a few weeks. We are an electronic publisher and we market to consumers on the internet. If a reader sees your review, we want there to be a cover and a buy link with a book that is live. So we want reviews to post after release date.

So what can you do before release? Add your website and book title - coming soon to your email sigline. Schedule a blog tour, see if other authors would like to join you to host a party on a yahoo loop. TWRP has two reader loops.
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thewildrosepress
www.groups.yahoo.com/group.thewilderroses (erotic content)

My best advice on promoting your book is to do what you enjoy. If you hate blogging, don't start a blog. Perhaps schedule a blog tour where you do a week's worth of stops, but then your blogging is done. Post tidbits from your books on facebook. The first kiss, the physical description, the best line during the black moment. There are many teasers within your books that would make great Facebook posts. Twitter is perfect for "tagline" type of tweets?

But wait, your book is going to print. When will that happen? Your ebook page always comes first on the TWRP main website. (The Wilder Roses website generally shows the print buy page prior to the ebook)
When your book is available for purchase (generally 2 to 2 1/2 weeks before digital release) you will receive an email from RJ similar to the ebook release report. Read this email carefully. It tells you everything you need to know about your print edition, including how to order for yourself. Your print buy page will then be linked to your digital page on the website. Print and ebook each have their own URL.

Here are a couple of links to help with promotion.
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Promotion_loop_schedule - this loop generates emails from the Yahoo calendar on what to post and what Yahoo loops. No chat email.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AuthorsHelpingAuthors - this loop is for authors to help authors.

If you know of a resource for authors, leave a comment and share it with us.

Stop back for more on marketing.

Lisa Dawn
Marketing Director
The Wild Rose Press

Those forbidden, naughty words….

By Ally Robertson

No, this isn’t a blog post about erotica. I know absolutely nothing about writing erotic. I’m a suspense editor, but these words should be forbidden in any genre—or at least used sparingly. This is about those ‘bad’words that show up in so many manuscripts I receive. Words that slow your pacing, make your writing less active, less immediate, and distance the reader.

I’ve listed some to avoid—but trust me, there are many, many more:

Wondered

Felt

Heard

Saw

Suddenly

Decided

Knew

Thought
Began to, Started to (Don't say your character 'Began to walk down the street' Just say, 'She walked down the street' Don't say your character 'Started to laugh.' Just say 'She laughed.')

Not to say these words can never be used, but the less you use them, the more active, the more ‘showing’ your story will be.

Some examples:

Before:

Julia was about to chime in when she heard the door to the bar open. She turned and saw Jasper Ramsey’s widow and son walk in.

Feeling her stomach clench and tears close her throat, she thought back to what had happened ten years earlier. The six of them drinking too much. The joy ride along the narrow, dark lake roads. Jasper Ramsey’s body flying in the air before landing in the murky water.

After:

Julia was about to chime in when the door to the bar opened, and Jasper Ramsey’s widow and son walked in.

Her stomach clenched and tears closed her throat. The memories that were never far away came flooding back…the six of them drinking too much. The joy ride along the narrow, dark lake roads. Jasper Ramsey’s body flying in the air before landing in the murky water.

Which one sounded more immediate? Made you closer to the emotion? To what the character is experiencing? There’s no need to tell readers what she heard, saw, felt and thought. Just state it, actively and directly.

Before:

She knew the cemetery had been their second favorite hangout, next to the lake, and now, two of them were resting here…forever.

Suddenly, a voice spoke behind her. “Are you okay?”

She whirled and saw Jake standing a few feet away, studying her with that intense expression of his, as if he could ferret out her every secret, pull every thought and emotion from her soul.

She peered up at him. Rain dripped from the brim of his hat as he squinted at her, his mouth

turned down in sympathy. She wondered what it would be like to fall into him, to feel his arms close around her, to rest in his comforting embrace. She decided that wouldn’t be wise.

After:

The cemetery had been their second favorite hangout, next to the lake, and now, two of them were resting here…forever.

“Are you okay?”

She whirled at the low rumble of Jake’s voice behind her.

He stood a few feet away, studying her with that intense expression of his, as if he could ferret out her every secret, pull every thought and emotion from her soul.

She peered up at him. Rain dripped from the brim of his hat as he squinted at her, his mouth turned down in sympathy. She wanted to fall into him, to feel his arms close around her, to rest in his comforting embrace. She sucked in a breath, willing the power to resist.

Don’t tell readers what she ‘knew’ or give them a head’s up that something is about to occur by using the word ‘suddenly.’ Just let the action play out so that the reader experiences it along with the character.

One more….

Before:

He moved up a couple of steps. She felt her breath stall in her throat as his scent filled her nostrils. Suddenly, a slow, warm thrill uncoiled in the center of her belly.

She knew the look in his eye was far from romantic. She saw anger that turned the gray to steel. She could see pain there, too.

After:

He moved up a couple of steps. Her breath stalled in her throat, his scent filling her nostrils. A slow, warm thrill uncoiled in the center of her belly.

But the look in his eye was far from romantic. Anger had turned the gray to steel, but there was pain there, too.

Check your manuscript for these types of words and get rid of as many of them as you can. You’ll find your writing to be more showing, more vivid, and readers will become engaged and connect more closely with the action and with your characters.

Have a wonderful week…Happy Writing!

Ally Robertson
Editor
Crimson Rose - Suspense and Intrigue
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
TheWildRosePress.com  

Flag Day, Not Romantic?

Old Glory.  Star Spangled Banner.  Stars and Stripes.  These names are frequently used to identify the United States flag.  This coming Thursday is Flag Day.  Inspired by three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day—the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777—was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916.  It’s a little known holiday, just flies under the radar with very little pomp and circumstance.  Sometimes it gets a line on a calendar.  It never gets any mention by Hallmark.  No Flag Day sales at any of the big box stores or car sales lots.  But I’m here today to be the champion for that uncelebrated holiday.  We need to put it on the map, make it romantic.

But how can you make Flag Day romantic?  Well, you could always have the hero and heroine meet at a community picnic on Flag Day.  But that’s taking the easy way out. 

As an historical editor, this holiday is more about the soul that embodies the sacrifices and commitment of the American people.  This is the spirit that built a nation.  The passion that held it together.  And the love stories readers should never forget. 

I would love to see more American Rose submissions to personify this great time period:  The French and Indian War, Colonial America, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Reconstruction era, and the dawn of the new century. 

American Rose stories are for those who long for the courageous heroes and heroines who fought for their freedom and settled the new world—all for their country, their love, and their flag.

Flag Day not romantic?  My parents were married on June 14, 1944.  My dad would always tease my mom that he got married on that day so he could remember their anniversary.  My mother would always say, “Don’t you remember what day it is?”  My father would always reply, “Yes, it’s Flag Day.”    He would smile, and she would get a twinkle in her eye.    You betcha, Flag Day is romantic.

Interview at www.shewrites.com

I was invited to be interviewed by the gracious folks at www.shewrites.com.  Follow this link and take a look at the lovely comments:



http://www.shewrites.com/profiles/blog/list?user=24hcruetuxtsr

Rhonda

Conference Season

Its conference season! I know some are already behind us such as RT but there are still so many more to come like RWA Nationals.  Have you ever been to one of the larger conferences?  I definitely think its something that every writer should do at least once.  Yes they are very expensive and very chaotic but there's something about being in a grand ballroom full of thousands of romance writers that gives you a feeling of belonging you just can't get anywhere else.  

In 2004, I attended RWA in Dallas.  I'd recently become a long distance member of the SARAs (San Antonio Romance Authors) and I was eager and nervous to meet my "online only" friends face to face.  The connections I formed there and the friendships I made that conference not only have endured to this day but are completely 100% the reason why our company in the very beginning was so well supported.  My friends from SARA promoted the heck out of TWRP in the early days and wrote for us so we would have quality inventory.  To this day, if I need something I can shoot out an email to those ladies and they will help me. 

But friendships aren't the only reason to attend a conference.  It's a gift to yourself as a writer.  Its time away from home and family that allows you to focus solely on you and your craft.  Everyone needs that no matter what you write.  No matter how well published you are, there are always tidbits to pick up in workshops or items to learn from keynote speakers.  There's also the casual meets with editors and agents that can change your entire career.

Nothing says you have to do the big conferences; there are plenty of smaller chapter conferences across the country and around the world. But do yourself a favor and get to at least one this year.  You won't regret it.

Rhonda Penders, Editor-in-Chief  

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Yesterday morning, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few last minute things for our family barbeque. Just outside the door was an older veteran—probably in his seventies—handing out red poppies and asking for donations to their veterans’ group. I overheard him telling another gentleman about his time in the war and how many in his group died either on the battle field or from injuries received while in combat.

Standing slightly behind the veteran was his wife. She, too, was handing out poppies. As her husband talked she would reach over and stoke his back or gently touch his elbow. There was so much love and adoration in her eyes as she looked at him, it warmed my heart. I can’t imagine how it must feel to be a military spouse whose significant other is deployed for any length of time. To stay home, holding down the household, never knowing if your loved one is coming home.

On this Memorial Day, we remember those soldiers who fought and gave their lives for our freedom. We owe so much to not only them, but their families. So next time you thank a vet, or pray for our fallen, remember their families as well.

I send out my sincerest, heartfelt thanks and support to those of you who have loved ones currently deployed and to those who have sacrificed everything to keep us safe. God bless!

Johanna Melaragno

New Historical Series....

Got a hankerin’ for bad boys and badges? So do we! 

Saddle up and send us your bad boys ready to be reformed by love. Or your lawmen who long for the love of a good woman. (We like female outlaws and heroines who uphold the law, too!) Characters should be heroic at heart, and people we wish we knew in real life. Throw in lots of conflict, smoldering sexual tension, an historically accurate western setting, and a happily ever after ending, and you’ve got the kind of story we ‘d love to read!

Outlaw characters must be worthy of being a TWRP hero, no cold-blooded murderers or rapists, please. Lawmen should be devoted to upholding the law even at great personal sacrifice. Setting can be anywhere west of the Mississippi in the 1800s. Length 7,500 to 25k. Heat rating can range from sweet to hot.

Send your queries or questions to queryus@thewildrosepress.com, subject line Lawmen and Outlaws Series.

After galley.

by RJ Morris

Production Manager,

Co-Founder, VP, The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

What happens to your baby after galleys? 

You’ve worked hard, you’ve slaved over a hot computer keyboard until your eyes are red rimmed and blurry, your fingers are numb, your back aches, and your legs don’t remember what it means to stand.  Your editor, whom you’ve blessed and cursed in the same breath, finally announces that your manuscript has completed the galley stage and is ready to go to production.  

You lean back in your chair that gives an audible complaint from over use and debate on whether or not to break out the champagne or wait until you have a release date.  You decide to field the question to your editor, who gives a patient, but obviously pat answer that it could be days, perhaps weeks before a release date is decided upon.  

“Why?” you ask.  The hard part is done, the text is flawless, even your dedication, carefully crafted to include everyone in your family that supported you during this long and often painful process, including the dog, is perfect.  Why would a release date take weeks to receive? 

Well, I’ll tell you.  There are a dozen things that must take place before the rest of the world can read your wonderful prose.  Electronic devices abound in this day and age, so your story must be formatted in specific ways to display properly on these devices.  Each one has its own unique way of handling text, so a good deal of care must go into this technical process.  If your book is to be printed, other formats must be created to align with the manufacturers’ specifications.  Many days of preparation for the distribution of your book must take place.  Then once these often tedious but necessary steps are taken, a release date can then be assigned to your book.  

“Finally!” you say.  “I’ll get a date and it’ll be just around the corner.”  

Um, well no.  As you were slaving at your keyboard, there were other manuscripts moving into production, also ready for dates and final formatting.  Therefore, your story must get in line.  

“But it’s an electronic book, why can’t it go out the minute it’s complete?” 

For The Wild Rose Press, Inc., we intentionally limit the number of releases per week so that each title gets a full day in the sun (2 weeks on the front page of our website).  If we were to release stories as quickly as we received them, then your wonderful tale and its lovely cover would be but a blip on the screen.  Literally.  So we limit ourselves to an average of five per week, which puts our releases about six months away from galley completion. 

Although you are saddened by this delay, you’re a savvy author and realize this allows you the time to promote your work and gather the crowds for the unveiling of your latest book.  It will be an event to remember, and an accomplishment to be proud of. 

So although you’ve slaved away and used your vivid imagination to create this fabulous piece of work, there are invisible steps and countless people required to get your book to the top of the publishing mountain. 

I hope this has enlightened some of you, and that you might consider saying a simple thanks now and again to those invisible people who work very hard to make your book the best it can be.  And as spokesperson for the invisible people, I say, thank you, for allowing us to be a part of your publishing life. 

You Know You're Reading a Good Book When...

You know when you're reading a good book when...
How do you finish that sentence?

What makes you decide the e-book on your screen or the paperback in your hand is going to be a great read? At what point do you have that “eureka!” moment? When do you know the story will echo in your heart long after you turn the last page?

Is it when you meet the characters and find their goals, motivation, and conflict resonate with—or are refreshingly different from—your own? Or when the first plot twist steals your breath, or makes your heart quiver or your mind race for answers? Or when you’re completely transported into the story after reading only a page, or a paragraph?

The Wild Rose Press author Emma Lai replied, “I know I’m reading a good book when I’ve fallen in love with the characters by page two, or when I’ve read twenty pages without once glancing up, or when I’ve laughed, cried, groaned, moaned, or gotten angry with one of the characters.”

TWRP author Maxine Mansfield said this, “You know you’re reading a really good book when you have to pee so bad, you are squeezing your thighs together as tight as you can get them, just so you can get to the end of the chapter before you have no choice but to get up and run!” She added, “It happens to me all the time.”

Other devout readers of romance had this to say:

“When something unusual happens that I wasn’t expecting, but it’s perfect.”

“When I lose track of time and where I’m at and what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“When I think I know what’s going to happen so I keep reading to make sure I’m right.”

“When it’s highly recommended, especially by friends who like the same stories I do.”

“When I smell dinner burning!”

What about you? When do you know the story you’re reading is a good one?

by
Lori LeBonde, editor, Scarlet Rose

Birthday Party Winners

Birthday Prizes from the Wild Rose Press

Congratulations to
Emily Tardy for winning a Kindle Fire!

25.00 digital gift certificates to either The Wild Rose Press or The Wilder Roses (erotic romance) digital catalogs are going to...

flchen1
ShadowLuvs
TraceyD
Amy Smith
Jenni Jacobs

All Winners will be notified by email, facebook, or Twitter.

Thank you for celebrating with The Wild Rose Press

Happy 6th Birthday, TWRP!!!

From all of us in you guessed it...

Black Rose:)

Pop the bubbly, pull up seat, and join me in a toast to the dynamic duo, RJ and Rhonda.

For without a dream shared by two women more than six years past,

we would not be here and rising fast.

Thank you, Ladies!

May your days continue to be filled with vibrant daisies:)

Now would someone please cut the cake?

Okay, okay. Sorry for the corny poem. I'm stepping down now.  Enjoy!

Callie, Lill, Nicolette, Eilidh, Lara, and Amanda

From the darker side of the garden.

Happy Birthday to us!  The Wild Rose Press turns 6 today.  So incredibly hard to believe as the time has literally flown by.

The best part about my job is that every day I get to make dreams come true.  Writers become published authors and published authors become multi-published.  It was our drive to create a kinder, gentler publishing house that led to where we are today - Best Publisher for Four Years running.  We're really proud of that and proud of our customer friendly company.

We're so excited here in the garden to celebrate this special day with all of you.  Please stop by all day to comment on our blogs.  Hopefully you are following us on twitter as we are having our first twitter party and we're giving away door prizes all day long.  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us bloom and grow.

Happy Birthday TWRP - Special Calls for Submissions

Happy 6th Birthday to the Wild Rose Press. 

We thought we'd share what we're looking for in submissions. 

The Wild Rose Press is a publisher of romance and we are always open for submissions in all our lines. 

However, here are some special series opportunities.

Please see our website for full submission guidelines. www.TheWildRosePress.com

2012 Series and Call for Submissions

Last Rose of Summer Line – later-in-life contemporary

Dearly Beloved Series ~ This unique series isn’t always about the bride and groom. A member of the clergy, the wedding planner, pastry chef, caterer, florist, or the musician could become the hero or heroine of the story. The phrase “Dearly Beloved” must be present in the story.

Word count: 7,500—25K; Heat level: sweet to spicy. Submit the entire manuscript as an attachment to queryus@thewildrosepress.com. In the subject line include: Dearly Beloved Series and the title of your manuscript. For questions or clarification, feel free to contact Kathy Cottrell, Senior Editor for the Last Rose of Summer line at kdcottrell@aol.com

Yellow Rose Line – contemporary western

Honky Tonk Hearts Series ~ Lonely hearts gravitate to the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. Owner and bartender, Gus Rankin, has seen his share of the wandering souls over the years—he’d even like to think he helped a few find true love along the way. 

Wherever a cowboy rides, works, plays or competes could be the setting for your story as long as at some important point, they cross the threshold into the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. 

Word Count: 20K to 40K.  You can find pertinent details on the honky tonk and submission information at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/twrphonkytonkhearts. 

Questions: contact Stacy D. Holmes, Senior Editor of Yellow Rose, at stacy@thewildrosepress.com. 

Black Rose ­– Paranormal (Dark: hot shifters, sexy vamps, and to die for demons)

Pagan Holiday Series. We are looking for stories that have to do with following:

*Yule (similar to Christmas)

*Imbolc (candlemass)

*Ostara (Spring Equinox)

*Beltane (May Day)

*Litha - Midsummer (Summer Solstice)

*Lughnasadh (First Harvest)

*Mabon (Autumn Equinox)

*Samhain (End of the Celtic year)

Crimson Rose – Romantic Suspense

Summer Heat Series ~ Crime and emotions seem to spike on hot summer nights. Bring them together and the results are explosive. It can be any kind of mystery or action suspense. The hero and heroine can be the investigators, or the victims. The only requirement is that the heat of a summer night must be a key role. Location can be anywhere in the world.

Spice level: Sweet to Hot; Length: 7,500 to 55,000 words

After seeing our full Crimson guidelines on our website, submit a synopsis and query to queryus@thewildrosepress.com. In the subject line include: Summer Heat Series and the Title of your manuscript.  For questions or clarification, please feel free to contact Lori Graham, Senior Editor for Crimson Rose, at lori@thewildrosepress.com

Scarlet Rose – Erotic Romance in all genre

Scarlet Rose is looking for hot men who love hot men! See the GBLT section of the wilder website and our specific guidelines for erotic romance.

Sweetheart Rose – Sweet contemporary

The Flower Basket Series ~ Set in the fictional town Almendra in central California, this series has only one requirement: a scene must take place in relation to The Flower Basket shop. Either in person by an interaction with one or all of the three owners or by a phone call. This series will be ending soon so now is the time to send off that short lighthearted story. A chart of all stories, characters, professions, etc. is available by contacting Leanne Morgena at leanne@thewildrosepress.com 

Word count: 7,500 to 40,000; Rating: Sweet

Cactus Rose – Western Historical

Lawmen & Outlaws Series ~ Got a hankerin' for bad boys and badges? So do we!

Saddle up and send us your bad boys ready to be reformed by love. Or your lawmen who long for the love of a good woman. (We like female outlaws and heroines who uphold the law, too!) Characters should be heroic at heart. Throw in lots of conflict, smoldering sexual tension, an historically accurate western setting, and a happily ever after ending.

Outlaw characters must be worthy of being a TWRP hero, no cold-blooded murderers or rapists, please. Lawmen should be devoted to upholding the law even at great personal sacrifice. Setting can be anywhere west of the Mississippi in the 1800s.

Length 7,500 to 25k. Heat rating can range from sweet to hot. Send your queries or questions to queryus@thewildrosepress.com, subject line Lawmen and Outlaws Series and the title of your book.

Champagne Rose – Contemporary

Millionaire’s Club - Classic Contemporaries ~ Champagne and Caviar. Rich and sexy. He’s the reformed playboy, the corporate raider or the self-made man. He comes from old money or new money. These stories are about rich and powerful men. However, he’ll have to earn this heroine’s love. He has to show her his love is the most valuable possession he can give her.

Length – 20K – 60K Rated Spicy to Hot

Historical Lines – American, Cactus, English Tea Rose, Vintage

Love Letters Series ~ Sometimes… a letter changes everything. In the historical series, the receipt of a letter forever changes a character’s life. A Dear John letter, a “Regret to Inform You” letter, Unexpected Inheritance, a Mail Order Bride, let your imagination be your guide.  Stories must be historically accurate.

Story length 20,000-25,000 words. The letter must occur within the first three pages of the story.

Please follow the general submission guidelines on the website for formatting and submit through the queryus@thewildrosepress.com. “Love Letters Series” should appear in the subject line, as well as your title.